Deer in Garden

How do I keep deer from eating my tomato plants and corn? thanks,Junior

Wed May 16, 2007 3:48 pm

Several in these parts use electric fences to keep them out.

Wed May 16, 2007 4:15 pm

shoot 'em.My dogs keep varmin out of my yard.Raccoons,skunks[they like to play with them]whistle pigs and anything else!!!Ive seen water guns shoot them that seems to work.Kevin

Wed May 16, 2007 4:26 pm

Short of Kevin's methods , exclusion by fencing is probably the only long term effective method. Deer fencing needs to be at least 8 feet tall, even if electric. If you don't want to go to the expense of fencing, plant enough for both you and the deer.

Wed May 16, 2007 4:42 pm

If its small enough, the garden i mean, line the perimeter of the garden with human hair. you can get it for free at the local barber shop. I'd pour some water on it to keep it heavy so as to not blow away. you can even take a leak on the hair for a double-whammy! works for us.

Thu May 17, 2007 7:24 am

The deer and I have an agreement. As long as the freezer is filled with veggies, there just isn't room for venison. So far, they have stuck to it, and so have I. (35 years and counting). Ed

Deer in garden

Thu May 17, 2007 8:23 am

Go by a dog groomer's place and get a sack of dog hair and toss hand fulls around the edge of your garden and maybe out in your corn and tomatos. I did that this year and it is the first year the deer have not bothered my peas. There is an old stray dog that comes around the garden occasionally, and that may be the reason too. Works so far.

Thu May 17, 2007 8:59 am

One year we ran out of venison and my kids wondered what the strange tasting meat was. It was loaded with fat.

Fri May 18, 2007 8:37 am

Junior,

Spiveyman is almost dead on his reccomendation. As weird as it sounds, an old time farmer told me that whenever he was outside, OUT IN THE COUNTRY OF COURSE, that he would take a leak at different spots around the perimeter of the garden. At night he did not use the bathroom inside, rather he used a SLOP JAR, (some of you may not be old enough to know what that is) and he would take it outside the next day and empty it around the garden. I did his first recommendation, still have an antique slop jar but they are too valuable to use anymore so I don't do that part. Believe it or not, I am not bothered with deer and they are over populated in this part of GA. To bad it doesn't work for raccoons, they dearly love Silver Queen corn and can ruin a patch in just a few nights of raids.

If your're in the country, try it!!!! If not, I wouldn't advise it for the neighbors might be inclined to call the law!!!! No matter how well intentioned the act, I don't believe the law would be impressed!!!

Pete

Fri May 18, 2007 8:57 am

Yea, Pete, I'm a believer of the urine , but I'm not hard core enough to use a slop bucket....... kinda gross Done it before, but I dont like the smell of one.

Deer in garden

Fri May 18, 2007 9:06 am

Especially when it is your turn to clean it the next morning. Take it out and empty it, clean and rench it out good, and turn it bottom uppards on a fence post to dry and air out!!!

Fri May 18, 2007 9:21 am

Hey guys,

Still some that know about the slop jar I see. It is a lot smelly and also the garden may get a little smelly, but what the hay!!!if it works.

Pete

Fri May 25, 2007 2:41 pm

I have an electric fence around mine, keeps the cattle out, but not the rabbits.

Fri May 25, 2007 5:33 pm

Since moving to the country and having several large flower/hosta gardens, I've become an expert (I use that term loosely). I bought a 1000 fps muzzle velocity air rifle that gets their attention so now they only dare enter after dark. I've taken to using a 2 gallon Hudson sprayer filled with garlic powder and water (maybe 1/2 cup powder to a water-filled sprayer). I spray the most desireable plants with this solution after maybe every 2" of rain throughout the summer. The urine thing never phased these guys nor did human hair and Irish Spring soap. It's just about impossible LT unless you periodically change the plan of attack. Craig

Mon Jun 04, 2007 9:05 pm

I had the same problem. Urine, hair, and the other remedies did not work untill i tried moth balls. Dissolve them in hot water and spray the perimeter or put them in cheese cloth and hang them around your garden. Works for me. Good luck